“And look how great that turned out.”
“True. Are you done stretching? I would like to go meet our friends. Finn has already gone to Lyla’s, and I can’t walk around on my own.”
“Can I brush my teeth and grab a quick shower first?”
“How quick?”
“Damn, Tim. It won’t be a bubble bath.”
To his annoyance, I also squeeze in a shave. I might not like parties, but I don’t want to show up looking ragged, especially if Finn ends up introducing me to people.
When I’m back in my uniform, we walk out of the building, making our way across the crowded streets. I notice more mutants walking around, and my body instinctively tenses, but I shouldn’t judge them by appearance alone, and I’m not looking to start a fight. Timothy leads us to the other side of the city, where Lyla lives in a house bigger than the others in the area. I knock, and Josh opens the door. I’m relieved that his black eye is almost healed. Maybe soon I can stop feeling like shit every time I see him.
“Just in time for breakfast. Hi, Timothy.”
“Good morning, Josh.”
The house is spacious and homey, filled with plants and paintings on the yellow walls. Not the kind of environment I would picture a fighter like Lyla living in, but that makes me like it even more.
“Come sit next to me, Nanny Spider,” River says from the long dining table, his long red hair striking against his white shirt. When I approach, he says a quick hello, only meeting my eyes for a second. Ever since I smashed Josh’s face, he’s been suspicious of me. I don’t blame him, but it still pisses me off. I tell myself I would have acted the same in his shoes, and maybe he does have a reason to be suspicious. It’s not like I know whether I’ll have another chilling encounter in the woods next time I go to sleep.
I turn to watch Finn as he climbs down the stairs. His dark curls are almost gone, making him seem a bit older. “A new haircut?”
“Lyla cut it. It was getting messy. I see you shaved.”
I touch my cheek. “For the ball. All eyes will be on me.”
He rolls his eyes and comes closer. I pull him in for a kiss, sensing his surprise by this public display, but he plays along.
“Very romantic,” River says. “I’m glad that Finn found someone muscular and tall like he wanted.”
Finn breaks the kiss. “River!”
“It’s the truth!”
Finn grunts as he pulls me to sit next to him. I whisper in his ear, “Am I muscular enough for you? Should I work out more?”
“Shut up.”
Lyla comes over from the kitchen, her hair in a loose ponytail. If my preferences weren’t for men, I could see myself falling for her. She places dishes on the table that smell great.
“How did you sleep?” Finn asks me quietly, as if everyone is not aware of mycondition.
“Like a baby.”
“I can confirm,” Timothy says from the other side of the table.
“Good.” Finn takes an omelet to his plate. “I updated everyone about my shitty meeting with the king.”
“He might be looking for us to make an offer he can’t refuse,” Timothy says.
Lyla shakes her head. “If he wanted you to butter him up, he would’ve let you know.”
“I’ll convince him,” River says with confidence.
“How?” Finn asks.
“I’ll tell him it will be rude not to join us.”
